© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
PHOENIX – Free agency usually turns emotional attachments into business decisions, although Zac Gallen might be the exception with how this offseason might end up going.
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Sep 26, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Where Zac Gallen could end up playing in 2026:
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that four teams, the Padres, Orioles, Cubs, and Diamondbacks, are heavily interested in Gallen. That’s the surface-level heat. The deeper read is what hasn’t happened: no aggressive long-term offer matching Gallen’s preferred three-to-five-year window. For a pitcher with ace-caliber production and postseason credibility, that hesitation speaks volumes about market timing rather than talent.
Zac Gallen talks are heating up, per @BNightengale.
Most interested teams:
Padres
Orioles
Cubs
Diamondbacks
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) February 10, 2026
Jul 31, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Gallen (23) throws against the Washington Nationals in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Zac Gallen’s not just a frontline arm; he’s a tone-setter. Gallen has been open about his connection to Torey Lovullo, the D-backs clubhouse, and the Arizona fans throughout the state. After his final start last season, he lingered in the dugout, reluctant to remove his jersey, a small moment that landed loudly with fans.
Aug 4, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Gallen (23) walks on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
That emotional equity cuts both ways. Arizona knows Gallen’s value isn’t only measured in WAR. With Merrill Kelly already back, the Diamondbacks have a chance to preserve rotation chemistry that fans trust and players believe in. For a team straddling contention and sustainability, stability has strategic weight. Arizona doesn’t need to win a bidding war; it needs to win alignment. A fair, mid-length deal mitigates long-term risk while rewarding loyalty and performance. If the market stalls, the Diamondbacks become the place where fit beats flash. The door isn’t just open, it’s inviting. Running it back with Zac Gallen wouldn’t be for nostalgia purposes; it would be a calculated bet on continuity, culture, and a contender that knows who it is.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
